The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-11-02
BETWEEN TWO LOVES.

and II had remained Al home instead ol
going sbrnai 10 spend the holidays Their
wonld never have been occasion TO reiate
this little incident in my otherwise IN
eventful life. But, ar our entire existence
is made up Of accidents--some Of which
,,roxe very interesting viii endeavor %
assist YOU in wiling away a few idle mo-
ments bv tell ng You an unpleasant pre-
dicament in which found myself sever
al years ago.
Nv name is Thomas Oxford Al the
time At which this story opens J was one
Of a nuuiber Of book-keepers IN a large
mercantile establishment. fer which ne
es.ived a u,e-i.~i compensation. by a nj
tie econoiny, hsd scrared together d
nea, sum. which came IN sery nicely IN
nv after life. Attending me, A. II did, an
opportunity Of enhancing my fortunes
considerably. was always particular IN
the selection Of my associates, and, IN this
manner. gained the friendship and good
will Of the best people in the city which
l called home. Now you know who am
-Or was-rather
was keeping company with prepos-
sessing Young lady. She was mol "ha'
might have been termed handsome, but
she was far from bad-looking. In stature
she was small; Der form was round and
plump; was Jolly; had an angels dispo-
sition. and large. frank eyes, whose luster
had never been dimmed by cares. Her
virtues sparkled like 80 many rare gems
which dazzled Ike jewels before my eyes.
Corld anyone help loving Nellie Wilson,
could not at least il 50 seemed 10 me.
The holidays had come, and one after
another se were sllowed our days of rec
reation. I had been invited 10 spend a
few weeks with distant friend, Mr.. Jos
eph Brown, and when the time for de-
parfure arrived | bid goodbye 10 Nellie,
promising al sorts Of lovers' nonsense,
and also 10 bring her a memento Of my
visit. You can easily snrmise by this
iusi how far matters between us had pro
gressed-
Al the end of my destination ] was
met by Joe, and a cab speedily conveyed
us to hi- palatial residenee-for he was
well-to-do and fate had dealtkindly with
him. was surprised on our arrival at
his home 10 find that ] was not the only
guest. but that. unknown TO me, he had
invited Young lady, his wife's sister
thinking. in his philanthropic way, that
he was doing me a favor. knowing how
fond was Of the society of young ladies.
Her name was Kate R0semond, and she
was heiress TO q large amount of money
From the momen, We met | was not
mvself. She Was the embodiment of
grace and beauty, and her queenly figure
capiiyaied me At once All thoughts of
mv almost betrothe, at home were dis
pelled and nav soul seemed wrapped up
in nav new acquaintance. The future
had no thought for me. ! Sas living
only in the present. Some will call me
tickle and uuprincipled, but doubt if
ANYBODY could have withstood her
charms.
After getting thoroughly settled J de-
voted my entire lime to Miss Rosemond,
and manifested ny regard for her in ev-
cry possible way. In this I was second
ed bv my friend Joe, whose ardent desire
seemed 10 be to mate us. One thing dis
tressed me Did Miss Rosemond esteem
me d? Did she feel for me that tender pas
sion without which this earth is made a
hell TO married people? Mine host urged
me on, SAYING that faint heart meier won
fair lady He laid before me the fact OF
her almost unbonnded riches, and paint
ed pictures of future comfort and luxury
But il WAS not her money sought this
seemed a barrier TO me. II was herself
tried to tell her 50, but il was useless
In her easy, graceful manner she would
eyade me and change the subject.
The time for my departure arrived
What should do? Tell her boldly that
loved herr No, could not. i'll had
been sure Of her feelings toward me
would not have hesitated. hut under
such doubtful circumstances | did not
deem il advisable, and therefore left with.
out telling her how dearly ! worshlped
at her shrine | was invited to repeat
my visit, and when Miss Rosemond add
ed that she would be delighted to meet
me again. almost felt like laying bare
my thoughts
When ! got iome il began 20 dawn up
on me that had not acted in the mos
honorable manner toward Nellie. but
assured myself that no one could hav,
resisted The temptation. There was bui
one course Tor me 10 pursue, and thai
was 30 go straight 10 my first love ana
confess b. her my weakness to acquaini
her Of the fact that another had found !
place within my heart. and beg her par
don for carrying matters TO this extreme
This resolve was much more easily mad,
than carried out AT least 50 found Il
/ went direct TO her home 70 advise he
of nay change of base. She had been
anxiousy watching aad waiting for me
and opened the door for me. Brigh
smiles, pretty dimples and pleasan
words shook my dissemination eoul,
not Withstand them When looked n
hcr nav old love seemed Ia return. An,
then. again, another vision would pas
before me What should do2 coul,
not tell her that did noi love her. lie
frank. clear eyes looked me in the fac
aud seemed 10 pierce my guilty thoughts
! did not know whether I really love
her or not. | was surely in a dire dilem
ma
! Was not very good company tina
evening. My brain Was teeming will
=" shall tell her or shallI not2" Sh
played and sang several Of my favorit
selections, and when she had finishe
asked me how liked them. had bee
- occupied with my thoughts that for
moment the question startled me. ] iii
ally replied good in mechanics
manner. Nellie knew by M, action
tnat something was wrong, but s ps
tience bore with me. She looked paine,
and tiny tear glisteDed in her lustrou
orhs- Alter few moInents of silence
bid her goodnight in the Simplest kin
of manner
My mind was in terrible ssas,
When reached my room determine
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